| An early morning fire, of origin yet to be determined, gutted two buildings in the city leaving millions of dollars in damage, at least one family homeless, and a number of persons jobless.Reports are that the conflagration, which was first observed shortly before 02:00 hours yesterday, started at the Gold Lion Chinese Restaurant situated at the junction of Camp and D’Urban Streets.The two buildings on fireThis publication was informed that the fire swiftly spread to the Supreme Snacks Food Court located to the west of the building and by the time three fire engines arrived on the scene, both buildings were engulfed.One resident,Arizona Diamondbacks Fernando Rodney Jersey, who lives three buildings away from the inferno, said that he was at home with his wife when he heard some loud explosions that sounded like gunshots. This, he said, prompted him to peer through a window, at which point he saw fire emanating from the Chinese restaurant.“I just put on me pants and me hat and dash out to see is what really going on,” the man related.He said that a fire tender arrived soon after and firemen started battling to control the fire so that it did not spread.“Three (fire) engines turn up, but like one didn’t even have no water and couldn’t really do nothing at first,” the resident said. He is however confident that the fire service did a “pretty good job” after securing water.Fire Chief Marlon Gentle in an invited comment yesterday said that although investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the fire,Cheap Jerseys From China, it has already been ascertained that the fire started in the upper flat of the Chinese Restaurant.Another fire officer at the scene said that a call was received around 01:50 hrs, and three units were immediately dispatched. The officer said that upon their arrival there were sounds of explosions and fire was already spreading from the Chinese restaurant to adjacent buildings. According to the fire official, it is suspected that the blaze started from the centre of the Chinese Restaurant building.The aftermath of the blazeAmong the homeless are owner of the restaurant, Nigel Ritch, and his family,Adam Joseph Duhe Dolphins Jersey, who resided in the upper flat of the Supreme Snacks Restaurant. He estimates his losses to be in excess of $10 million, and close to a dozen of his workers are now contemplating their next employment move.According to the man’s brother, Richard April,Throwback Jerseys, his brother and family started smelling smoke, as the bedroom of the house is situated close to the Chinese Restaurant where the fire started.“By the time they check and decide fuh come out of the building fire start going to their building.”Owner of the Chinese Restaurant, Lieng Hong,http://www.theworldsoccersshop.com/Argentina-Diego-Maradona-Jersey.html, said that it was not very long ago that the building housing his business was refurbished, to the tune of some $25 million. The building, according to City Council officials who turned up at the scene yesterday, is owned by one Sugrim.In tears, the restaurateur recalled how he had left his restaurant around midnight for a night club in the city to have a drink with some of his workers. He said it was while on his way to another night spot, he was stopped by a police patrol and asked for his driver’s licence. It was discovered that his licence had expired two months ago and therefore he was required to head to the Brickdam Police Station. The man said that it was while en route to the station, he was again stopped by a police patrol and asked if he was the owner of the restaurant on Camp Street.Lieng, who has been in business for 12 years, said that he would like to resume his business as soon as possible since it is his only source of income.The father of four said that he has no idea how the fire could have started since his family does not live in the building.And even as smoke continued to billow from sections of the buildings around noon,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, two police ranks, one armed with a rifle, were tasked with overlooking them. |
